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enWhy Aston Villa can beat Chelsea this weekend (really)Alex Kebleuses award-winning Stats Zone to ask whether cracks are beginning to show in Jose Mourinhos castle...Alex Keblehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-aston-villa-can-beat-chelsea-weekend-really
The over-zealous appreciation of Chelsea's tactical efficiency, and the idolisation of Jose Mourinho, has inevitably masked emerging signs of weakness within the Blues' squad. But the 4-2 defeat to Bradford and 5-3 pummeling at Tottenham have scratched – ever so slightly – the Special One's impenetrable armour.
There are flaws in this team. Aston Villa, as far-fetched as it may sound, could be the next team to expose them.
As highlighted by various sections of the media, Cesar Azpilicueta made a naïve and costly positional error in the build-up to Manchester City's equaliser last weekend.
This follows on from two individual blunders that led to goals against Bradford, when the left-back was caught ball-watching before Bradford's second, and was easily dribbled past for the third.
Azpilicueta's bemusing decision-making in that crucial moment last Saturday was, perhaps, an early sign of a dip in confidence. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, his next opponent –Villa's new signing Carles Gil –is on an upward swing after an impressive start in Birmingham.
Considering Villa's woeful display at the Emirates, Gil's display (6 dribbles, 3 chances created) was admirable.
The former Valencia man's dips and slaloms, coupled with his graceful technical control and dribbling speed, will certainly cause Azpilicueta plenty of problems. Chelsea have conceded 16 goals away from home, only 3 fewer than Newcastle –the team with the third-worst away defensive record in the league.
Chelsea remain overwhelming favourites for this fixture, but it's worth noting that Villa's well-organised defence had, before the Arsenal match, conceded fewer goals than any team outside the top four.
Chelsea have struggled against deep-lying defences in several games this season, and Villa are the deepest of them all (dribbled past 7.2 times per match, a league low). With Cesc Fabregas still a doubt and Diego Costa suspended, coupled with the Blues' awkward record at Villa Park, stranger things have happened...
Similarly well-organised defences that are happy to absorb pressure and nullify Chelsea's counter-attacking strategy have kept Mourinho's team quiet. Could Villa do the same?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 06 Feb 2015 10:00:00 +0000Joe Brewin338038 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAzpilicueta anticipating weird Lampard returnTo see Frank Lampard in action for the opposition at Stamford Bridge will be a weird experience, according to Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/azpilicueta-anticipating-weird-lampard-return
Lampard spent 13 trophy-laden years at Chelsea, where he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and boththe UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Now at Manchester City, Lampard will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time on Saturday as the Premier League's top two sides meet in a crucial encounter in west London.
The reverse fixture back in September saw Lampardcome off the bench to score a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw, a goal he barely celebrated against his former club.
And Azpilicueta, who played alongside Lampardfor two years before the midfielder's departure, believes it will be strange to see a man synonymous with Chelsea line up for the opposition.
"In the history of the club Lampard is a Chelsea legend and obviously it will be weird to see him playing in another shirt,"he toldSky Sports.
"He will get a reception of a legend at Stamford Bridge. But he's professional and when he’s on the pitch he will try to win for his team.
"The game at the Etihad was really tight. We scored when they had 10 men and were winning 1-0. They pushed a lot and we couldn’t manage the pressure from them and Lampard arrived to score the equaliser.
"Games against City are always tough and very tight, and this is a big game in the league.
"We know we have to win every game, every week, at home and away, so it is important because we play against a big team.
"In terms of the title, at the end there are still a lot of games to go. If we win, we are not going to say we’ve won the title and if we lose we’re not going to say we’ve lost the title.
"A lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season."
news_articleSat, 31 Jan 2015 10:07:00 +0000334455 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comChelsea have mental edge, says AzpilicuetaCesar Azpilicueta believes Chelseas mental edge can help them claim a fourth Premier League title this season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/chelsea-have-mental-edge-azpilicueta
Saturday's 2-1 victory over last season's runners-upLiverpoolensured Chelsea will go into the international break four points clear of Southampton at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, their other title rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United have all stuttered this term, with Manuel Pellegrini's side - the closest of that trio- eight points back after being held by QPR at the weekend.
And AzpilicuetabelievesChelsea's close-season acquisitionshave helped improve their squad both technicallyand mentally, which gives them a clear advantage.
"I think we are stronger mentally now," said the Spain international. "The players who came have given us another dimension as well.
"I think you saw that [against Liverpool]. When the team was losing we were still really strong mentally.
"The whole squad know we have to fight together. Some players have more talent, some score goals, and sometimes we have to defend for them - but the main thing is we do it all as a team.
"Over the last few games maybe we haven't played our best football and the scores have been tight but over the whole season you know that everyone can't keep playing very well and winning easy.
"Last year we were so close to winning the title and this year we know it will be tough but that's what we want.
"We will see in May. We're on top of the table but that's a long way off, but we want as few problems as possible up to then."
news_articleMon, 10 Nov 2014 09:16:58 +0000284452 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAzpilicueta pens new five-year Chelsea dealCesar Azpilicueta has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/azpilicueta-pens-new-chelsea-deal
The defender arrived at Stamford Bridge from French club Marseille in 2012 and has since made 95 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring his only goal against Arsenal in last season's League Cup.
Azpilicuetakept long-serving left-back Ashley Cole out of the Chelsea first team for much of last term and now has a firm grip on the position following the Englishman's departure for Roma during the close-season.
Part of the Chelsea side that lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in 2012-13, Azpilicueta went on to win the club's Players' Player of the Year award last season.
Having made two appearances for Spain at the World Cup earlier this year, he is currently part of Vicente del Bosque's squad for Thursday's friendly against France and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia four days later.
Azpilicueta, who can also play right-back, faces competition from Filipe Luis following his arrival from Atletico Madrid.
The 25-year-old'snext appearance in a Chelsea shirt will likely come in the home Premier League fixture against Swansea City a week on Saturday.
news_articleTue, 02 Sep 2014 16:08:37 +0000244302 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAzpilicueta: Fabregas a special playerChelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta labelled Cesc Fabregas a special player who his team are lacking at the moment.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/azpilicueta-fabregas-special-player
The Premier League giants are believed to be close to buying Fabregas from Barcelona, with the 27-year-old's Spain team-mate Gerard Pique letting slip the deal was all-but done.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Azpilicueta, who will play alongside Fabregas at the FIFA World Cup, praised the former Arsenal midfielder.
"At the moment there's nothing official and he's a Barca player," he said.
"All I can say is what I already know about him. He's a great central midfielder with plenty of experience in the Premier League. The best players are always welcome at the best clubs.
"In my personal opinion, he's a special player.
"Few teams have this kind of player in their team, a central midfielder who gets forward really well and has great vision of the game, whilst there's also his statistics, which speak for themselves.
"He can adapt to various positions. Right now, we don’t have a player like Cesc at Chelsea."
On his own form, right-back Azpilicueta said he was happy to play wherever required by his club or the national team.
"I've played in various positions, that's true," he said.
"My natural position is right-back, although this year I've played on the other side. Whatever I can do to help the team, is best for me. I'm happy with how I've progressed."
news_articleFri, 06 Jun 2014 04:15:45 +0000187141 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAzpilicueta: Spain have to adapt to Brazil quicklyCesar Azpilicueta knows that Spain will need to adapt quickly to conditions in Brazil to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup title.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/azpilicueta-spain-have-adapt-quickly
Vicente del Bosque's side have been pitted against the Netherlands, Chile and Australia in Group B, with Azpilicueta keen to avoid a sluggish start like in 2010.
In South Africa, Spain lost their opening match against Switzerland, but recovered to claim their first World Cup triumph in Johannesburg against the Netherlands in the final.
Conditions in Brazil will be different to those four years ago and the Chelsea defender, who is playing in his first major international tournament, is relishing the chance to help Spain become only the third nation to retain the trophy.
"For every player it's a dream to play in a World Cup," he told the official Chelsea website. "It's a massive tournament which everybody is looking forward to.
"We have experience from last year, when we played in the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
"The World Cup is obviously different but we know what we can expect, although we will have to adapt to the conditions very quickly.
"We have the feeling of doing the right things after winning two European Championships and the World Cup,
"It's very difficult to keep winning but we will try, we know the way we want to play and hopefully our style of play will help us achieve what we want to."
news_articleTue, 03 Jun 2014 11:52:28 +0000185282 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Atletico Madrid vs ChelseaChampions League | Vicente Calderon | Tue 22 Apr | 7:45pmAndrew Murrayhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-atletico-madrid-vs-chelsea
The lowdown
Like a pair of drunken sixth-formers at the Christmas ball, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea just can’t leave each other alone. The tug of love between the semi-finalists has built steadily since 2011 when Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois first joined los Colchoneros on loan; the two capital clubs now meeting in the last four of the Champions League with a handful of players with opposition ties.
For the sake of this analogy, midfield waddler Maniche – who has played for both clubs – is the kindly, if overweight, geek who only ventures from the corner of the dance floor to sample the Iceland-bought nibbles.
A cross between Luis Suarez’s brutal will to win and Didier Drogba’s prodigious physicality, Diego Costa sits atop Chelsea’s shopping list. With Jose Mourinho admitting to being in desperate need of a striker next season, the Brazilian-born Spaniard carries precisely the attributes so favoured of the Special One.
If the rumour mill is to be believed – something of a leap of faith, admittedly – then a £50 million bid will be enough for the 25-year-old to be plying his trade at Stamford Bridge next season, potentially with ex-Colchonero captain Fernando Torres going the other way.
Throw in Atletico boss Diego Simeone, himself briefly linked to Chelsea before Mourinho’s return last season, and Atleti midfielder Tiago, who had one inauspicious season at the Bridge in 2004/05, and there’s a familiar feeling to the two teams.
The Spanish leaders have won their previous eight games and knocked out European behemoths Barcelona. They may be underdogs, but Simeone’s side play that role better than any team in Europe.
They regularly see less of the ball than the opposition, but midfield anchor and captain Gabi, 'new Xavi' Koke and silky wide-man Arda Turan – should he be fit – counter-attack at dizzying speed.
Mourinho somehow managed to lose his 77-game unbeaten home record to, of all teams, bottom club Sunderland at the weekend, but Chelsea have suffered only three Premier League defeats since December and are fresh from that stunning comeback against PSG.
Say what you like about Mourinho teams; the Blues have a winning mentality and desire to prove their doubters wrong. Combined with a particularly fluid midfield and an improving David Luiz in front of the back four, you wouldn’t put it past them going all the way.
When the pair last met, in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup final, Atletico won 4-1 thanks to the irrepressible Radamel Falcao, another former (who knows, maybe even still current) Chelsea target who spelt the beginning of the end of Roberto Di Matteo’s spell in the dugout.
Over the next two legs, this could be a one-night stand that turns into a full-blown affair.
Key battle: Koke vs Cesar Azpilicueta
In keeping with the Spanish tradition of interiores - centre-midfielders who have a nominally wide starting position - Koke will come face-to-face with the area of Mourinho's team that has most impressed this season. With well-built full-back Branislav Ivanovic suspended for the first leg at the Vicente Calderon, Azpilicueta is likely to swap wings to the right (his natural side, don't forget) with Ashley Cole getting a rare start at left-back.
Though he may start on the right of midfield if Simeone risks the fit-again Arda Turan down the left, Koke is a natural-born creator who leads La Liga's assists table with 13 and has a panoramic passing range. Yet, the 22-year-old, who created 3 chances and scored in the second leg of the Barcelona quarter-final on the left of midfield, must ensure he retains some width, regardless of side he plays, so as to curb the attacking intent of either Azpilicueta or Cole. You feel that battle, and who keeps best control of whom, will go a long way to deciding the game's outcome.
The managers
A self-confessed disciplinarian who “played as if holding a knife between my teeth”, Simeone is arguably football’s hottest young coach, a title Mourinho has previously held himself. Both cut a dash in the technical area: Simeone a shock of jet black hair to Mourinho’s silver fox. Both also produce supremely effective counter-attacking units that suffocate the opposition and want the opposition to come on to them, not vice versa. It promises to be arguably the most intriguing game of this season’s competition.
Facts and figures
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 clashes with Spanish sides in the Champions League (W6 D9), their last defeat coming against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in February 2006.
Chelsea are unbeaten against Atletico in the CL (W1 D1); having met in the 2009/10 group stages.
The three competitive encounters between Atletico and Chelsea have produced 13 goals.
Atletico have won 2 of their last 3 games against English sides in European competition (L1).
The Madrid club have travelled to England 9 times previously in European competition (excluding qualifiers); winning only 1 (at Leicester in September 1997).
Chelsea have reached the semi-finals for the seventh time since 2003/04 (joint-highest with Barcelona).
Chelsea have only lost 1 of their last 10 CL matches in the knockout stages (1-3 vs PSG this season).
Thibaut Courtois has saved 82.1% of shots faced in the CL this season; Petr Cech has saved 76.7%.
Mourinho won 3 of his 4 meetings with Simeone's Atletico in all competitions when at Real Madrid (L1).
Demba Ba has scored in his last 3 CL games. He finds the net every 47 minutes on average this season, the best ratio of any player with more than 1 goal in the competition.
More FFT Stats Zone facts
FourFourTwo prediction
Atleti to win, but Chelsea to get a vital away goal. 2-1.
Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureMon, 21 Apr 2014 11:01:00 +0000Gregg Davies154568 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Chelsea vs StokePremier League | Stamford Bridge | Sat 5 Apr | 5:30pmAndrew Murrayhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-chelsea-vs-stoke
Billed as
Three points for Chelsea, no? Well, er, no. At least not quite.
The lowdown
So, not all is well in the Jose Mourinho garden, despite sitting in second place and with a few surprisingly temperate days that may indicate a rather pleasant spring is on its way. It’s not often you write that Chelsea – or any Mourinho team, for that matter – have lost two of their last three league games, but such is the current predicament down on the King’s Road.
Yes, the Blues boss has been telling anyone who’ll listen – and probably a few that aren’t, just for funsies – that Chelsea won’t win the league this season for some time now, but the lack of guile in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was a worrying sign. The crankiness shown towards referees, ball boys and life in general over the last few is much removed from the ‘Happy One’ last summer or even the smiling 51-year-old around the turn of the year.
The problem of the forwards won’t go away. Samuel Eto’o can only score at home, Fernando Torres’ malaise shows no sign of evaporating and Demba Ba seldom plays.
Talk of wholesale change isn’t far wide of the mark. Without the consistencyof Eden Hazard this season, they could be struggling even more than they already are.
That said, the defence – as ever in a Mourinho team – can be relied upon. Chelsea have conceded four goals fewer than the side with the next-best record (Manchester City, perhaps surprisingly) and have shipped only four in their last 10.
Whatever way you look at it, that’s impressive. Gary Cahill and John Terry – last week’s own goal aside – have been consistent at centre-half, as have full-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta. If defences win you leagues, Chelsea might be OK after all.
The visitors to SW6 on Saturday afternoon are looking for a first double over the west Londoners in 40 years after Stoke winger Oussama Assaidi’s last-minute winner secured a 3-2 win at the Britannia back in December. Unbeaten since late February, Mark Hughes’ men have steadily climbed the table just as the relegation vultures were circling around Staffordshire.
Fresh from three successive wins against West Ham, Aston Villa and Hull, the Potters have evolved from one-dimensional brutes under Tony Pulis to a more rounded beast under former Man City boss Hughes. Still direct, there’s greater invention from attacking midfield three Peter Odemwingie, Stephen Ireland and Marko Arnautovic, while Glenn Whelan and Steven N’Zonzi have impressed as anchormen.
Ruthless in beating Villa 4-1, they have the consistency of selection and are well drilled enough to cause problems. Stoke are in prime position to finish inside the top half of the Premier League for the first time.
Team news
Ramires completes the last of his three-match ban for an ugly stamp in Chelsea’s defeat at Aston Villa. Eto’o, meanwhile, remains a major doubt with the hamstring injury picked up in the 6-0 rout of Arsenal.
For Stoke, Assaidi is likely to against miss out with a damaged knee, joining long-term absentee Robert Huth.
Key battle: Azpilicueta vs Odemwingie
Like many Chelsea home games, if the Blues defend well, life will be difficult for Stoke. The visitors’ best hope could be in-form forward Odemwingie, who has performed well since January’s move from Cardiff. Pacy and direct, if the Nigerian can force the equally mobile Azpilicueta back and take advantage of a right-footer playing at left-back, Stoke could have some joy. But if the Spaniard can maintain the fine form he’s displayed for much of the season, it could go a long way to ensuring Jose’s unbeaten Stamford Bridge record remains intact.
The managers
Mourinho and Hughes have often seemed to get on reasonably well, the Special One praising his opposite number’s appointment before December’s league game between the sides. The only manager to beat Mourinho more than once in the Premier League (Hughes’ Blackburn beat the Blues in May 2006), the former Manchester United striker will be hoping to improve on an already impressive record.
Facts and figures
Chelsea have won this fixture to nil in each of the last 4 seasons
Chelsea have won 9 of their last 10 home matches against middle-third teams, with 6 wins to nil and 7 wins by more than 1 goal
Since 2011/12 Stoke have been level at half-time in 10 of their 17 trips to top-six teams (they’ve never been ahead at the break)
Stoke have lost just 1 of their last 9 matches – a 1-0 defeat at Man City – and have beaten both Man United and Arsenal in that time
8 of Chelsea’s last 13 home games against middle-third sides have produced fewer than three goals, including three 1-0 wins and three 2-0s
Best Bet: Chelsea to win by a goal @ 3.70
More FFT Stats Zone facts • Find the best odds with Bet Butler
FourFourTwo prediction
Mourinho’s bete noir to come back to haunt him again. 1-1.
Chelsea vs Stoke LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 04 Apr 2014 07:07:00 +0000Gregg Davies147327 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe FourFourTwo Preview: Fulham vs ChelseaPremier League | Craven Cottage | Sat 1 Mar | 3pmHuw Davieshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-fulham-vs-chelsea
Billed as
Top against bottom in a local derby that hasn’t even sold out.
The lowdown
Fulham-Chelsea has always been an odd one, the years spent in different divisions making any animosity somewhat akin to a three-legged dog barking all day at a nonplussed Siamese. Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League in 2001 gave their fans the chance to stick it to Chelsea in person, not that the Blues were bothered, but after a dozen seasons of one-way hatred, this year the passion seems to have evened out – because even Fulham fans don’t care anymore.
Perhaps that’s unfair. But it is true that the Cottagers were still advertising the availability of tickets as late as this week, for a home game against their local rivals and league leaders. With their side in trouble, it’s time for Fulham fans as well as their team to step up.
Felix Magath could have got off to a winning start but for a late mistake by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelekelekenburg. Fulham only had 37% possession and 7 shots to 16, but threw themselves into defending a lead they held for an hour, making 7 blocks (West Bromwich Albion made 0), a whopping 29/35 tackles and a head-hurting 64 clearances, some as high up the pitch as the halfway line.
While 1-0 up they were evidently happy to sit back to an extent, but completing just 65% of your passes invites pressure, especially when 1 in 5 passes are hit long – really quite a lot when you think about it (tip, tap, tip, tap, HOOF) – and Hugo Rodallega is winning only 4 of his 14 aerial duels. The defensive effort should continue against Chelsea, but perhaps with more guile needed in possession.
Chelsea have won only one of their last four matches, and that with a fortuitous injury-time goal against Everton, but they have an excellent record against Fulham, winning or drawing their last 16 meetings. The Putney boys’ last triumph came in 2006, with Luis Boa Morte scoring the only goal amid supporter skirmishes and police intervention (see, the fans did care once). Jose Mourinho made two tactical substitutions before the half-hour mark, the other coming at half-time. And the last time these two teams met, in September last year, John Obi Mikel scored his only Premier League goal to date.
Truly, this is a Twilight Zone fixture.
Team news
Fulham have no new injury concerns, at least until Magath’s patented new training of five-a-side, a triathlon and waterboarding kicks in. Record signing Kostas Mitroglou is still lacking match fitness.
For Chelsea, Mikel and Oscar both face late fitness tests, with David Luiz another doubt. In the spirit of being thorough, Marco van Ginkel is also injured. Hope that helps your fantasy football selections.
Key battle: Dejagah vs Azpilicueta
A team of 11 Cesar Azpilicuetas? We wouldn’t fancy trying to fit the line-up into a tweet. But Mourinho wasn’t thinking of journalistic logistics when he declared the Spaniard good enough to win the Champions League alongside 10 of his clones, thanks to his “winning personality”.
He has more than that. Azpilicueta – ‘Dave’ to lazy team-mates – was picked for defensive reliability, always a key tenet of Mourinho’s favourite full-backs, but gets into excellent attacking positions, too. He provided the assist for Fernando Torres’ goal against Galatasaray by finding space behind the Turkish team’s defence. His form is a real boost to the Blues, and possibly the result of World Cup hopeful Leighton Baines either wishing on a star or inconveniencing an Ashley Cole voodoo doll.
Azpilicueta will probably be up against Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah, who scored against West Brom last weekend. Dejagah, who will be at the World Cup with Iran this summer, will be tasked with keeping the opposition full-back quiet as well as testing his defensive capabilities. The winger did just that against the Baggies, scoring and creating 2 chances but also making 7 clearances, helping out with 5 tackles and interceptions and relieving pressure by winning 4 free-kicks.
The managers
From 19th-century football to experts in failure, and from little horses to carthorses, Mourinho has engaged in more meandering (and often tiresome) accusations than the cat-loving conspiracy theorist at your local bus stop. The 51-year-old is as much a manager of the mind as he’s ever been, but this season has reminded neutrals just how spiky and difficult he can be. Still, if you gave Mourinho a choice upon dying of a gravestone that read ‘He won everything’ and ‘He was a nice bloke, really’ you know which one he’d choose.
Magath has shown short shrift to two young’uns brought in by Rene Meulensteen, sending Larnell Cole on loan to MK Dons and Ryan Tunnicliffe to Wigan within weeks of their arrivals.
Meanwhile, the German’s training methods have been defended by his former Schalke employee Lewis Holtby, who commented: “If you compare him to Saddam [Hussein] it’s not very generous and it's not very nice.” As messages of support for your manager go, saying he’s not as bad as one of history’s most reviled dictators isn’t a terrible place to start.
Facts and figures
Fulham have won only 1 of 25 Premier League derbies against Chelsea.
Fulham have lost their last 6 home games against top-six team including 4 defeats without scoring.
6 of Chelsea’s last 8 wins have come to nil, including three 1-0 scores.
Chelsea have been ahead at half-time in 6 of their last 9 trips to bottom-six teams.
This fixture has had just 25 goals in the last 12 seasons with 8 of 12 matches having fewer than 3 goals.
Best Bet:Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.15
More FFT Stats Zone facts • Find the best odds with Bet Butler
FourFourTwo prediction
With Chelsea stuttering a bit lately and Magath already firing up his players, a shock home win isn’t totally out of the question. But let’s play it safe and call this a 2-1 win for the Blues.
Fulham vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 28 Feb 2014 08:02:00 +0000Gregg Davies129425 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAllardyce outthinks Mourinho and other things we learned from Chelsea 0-0 West HamWest Ham United defended bravely to earn a crucial point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. FourFourTwos Ben Welch was in the press box to analyse the game with Stats Zone...Ben Welchhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/allardyce-outthinks-mourinho-and-other-things-we-learned-chelsea-0-0-west-ham
West Ham keep Chelsea at a distance
Whenever Chelsea burst forward the Hammers retreated in numbers, quickly erecting claret and blue barricades. A five-man midfield threw a blanket of protection in front of the back four; with no way through, the home side were forced to shoot from distance.
The Blues had 39 shots on goal, but 23 of these efforts were from outside of the box. Shots crashed against the bodies of desperate West Ham defenders – the Hammers racked up 16 blocks, with almost half of them (7) coming from Matthew Taylor. If a shot found its way through the wall, a combination for the woodwork and Adrian kept the ball out.
Everyone expected the east Londoners to defend this way, but few would have expected them to keep it up for 90 minutes. Mourinho can criticise West Ham for their lack of ambition, but he must (and did) respect their resilience.
The Hammers only had 27% of the possession. When a team sees so little of the ball players can be tempted to break rank and chase it, but Big Sam’s troops stayed loyal to the system and shut out the space, rather than players.
Samuele Allardici is a tactical mastermind (self-proclaimed)
Jose Mourinho called it football from the “19th century” and that the only thing he could have done to break down the wall was bring his Black Decker drill. Sam Allardyce said, “I don’t give a shite. He can't take it that we've out-tacticked him. It's brilliant when you get a result against him. Good old Jose, moaning again.”
Dudley’s finest tactician loves nothing better than out-manoeuvring a thinker from overseas. Mourinho changed the personnel and then the system and still he couldn’t find a way through Allardyce’s tightly compressed 4-2-3-1. After 63 minutes he brought off John Obi Mikel for Frank Lampard and Cesar Azpilicueta for Nemanja Matic, with Ramires dropping to right-back and Branislav Ivanovic switched to the left.
Nobody knows what’s happened between Mourinho and Ashley Cole, but surely the England defender would have ben a better replacement than Matic for Azpilicueta? The Spanish defender made 11 successful passes in the attacking third – all but three were backwards and none of them were into the box.
Bereft of a competent left foot, Azpilicueta doesn’t feel confident enough to get beyond Eden Hazard and whip in crosses: he has to come back on to his right and by that time the opportunity is lost. Surely having Cole’s pace and ability to hit the byline would have stretched a tiring Matt Jarvis and Joey O'Brien even more.
With 10 minutes left, Mourinho brought on Demba Ba for Oscar. The Brazilian, deployed behind lone striker Samuel Eto’o, had been forced to drop deep in search of the ball thanks to West Ham’s impenetrable roadblock – only 60% of his passes were in the attacking third. With Ba on, Chelsea went 4-4-2 – a tactical switch that had worked against Crystal Palace, but not the Hammers.
For his part, Allardyce withdrew a tiring Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll for Antonio Nocerino and Carlton Cole. Having squeezed what he could out of his first-choice pair, he brought on fresh legs at just the right time. In conclusion Mourinho is clearly a tactical no hoper and Big Sam is a tactical genius. All hail Sam Allardici!
Samuel Eto’o’s failure to gamble proved costly in the box
On the few occasions Chelsea did find a way to get in behind West Ham’s deep-lying back four, Eto’o wasn’t alert to the opportunity. The home side managed to get five crosses into the box – not one found a player in a blue shirt. There were two occasions in the second half when the ball flashed across the face of goal and Eto’o was nowhere to be seen.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan hitman was dominated by James Collins in the box. The Welsh centre-back made 13 clearances, four tackles and two blocks. When the Cameroonian did find space he couldn’t find his range in front of goal. All but one of his four attempts were off target, and Adrian's fine save denied his only goalbound strike.
Eto’o only made 14 successful passes all night and failed with all four of his attempted dribbles. When space was at a premium, Chelsea needed more from their attacking spearhead.
Matthew Taylor is a hit in the holding role
Taylor is known for having a left foot that can supply devilish deliveries and wonder goals; he’s less renowned for tenacious displays in the heart of the battle, but that’s what he delivered on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old, more accustomed to playing out wide, made 7 blocks – 5 more than James Collins in second place. He also seized upon 5 loose balls – bettered only by Ramires and his old Bolton team-mate Gary Cahill.
When Taylor wasn’t throwing himself in the way of shots and competing for the second ball, he was putting his foot in, winning 3 of his 6 attempted tackles. He deserves praise for this selfless display, full of industry and discipline – and so does Allardyce for seeing his potential in this position.
Andy Carroll can’t do it all on his own
West Ham earned a point because they executed their defensive game plan to perfection, but had they been a little more adventurous at times they might have stolen all three. They conceded 72% of possession, had 1 shot on goal to Chelsea’s 39 and only managed to complete a dismal 63% of their passes. How often can they afford to play so poorly in attack?
Earning a point at Stamford Bridge is a fantastic result for the Hammers, but they’re still in the bottom three and if they’re going to survive they’re going to need to play with a bit more adventure. And Carroll, who has missed half of the season, is going to need a lot more support as he tries to find his match sharpness – which was certainly missing when he produced an air-kick in front of goal with Petr Cech stranded.
Too often Carroll was left isolated up front on this own. West Ham’s passing in the final third was abysmal – they only completed 31 of their 70 exchanges in Chelsea’s defensive territory, a success rate of 44%. Adrian to Carroll was West Ham’s most prolific pass combination, with the goalkeeper finding the striker 9 times. The 6ft 3in Geordie won 9 of his 13 aerial duels, but this was often in vain with this team-mates still camped on the edge of their 18-yard-box, waiting for the next wave of attack.
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featureThu, 30 Jan 2014 09:59:14 +0000Gary Parkinson116594 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho urges Cole to fight for Chelsea recallJose Mourinho has challenged Ashley Cole to oust Cesar Azpilicueta from the Chelsea side and prove the left-back deserves a recall.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-urges-cole-fight-chelsea-recall
Cole watched the last two Chelsea games – a 3-0 win over Schalke in the UEFA Champions League last week and the 2-2 draw with West Brom on Saturday - from the bench as an unused substitute after Mourinho opted to give Azpilicueta the nod.
Mourinho feels his decision to play Azpilicueta - a right-back by trade - ahead of Cole has paid off, but told the England international that he will be welcomed back into the starting XI if he shows more "fight".
"I decided for Azpilicueta to play against Schalke and he was fantastic," said the Chelsea manager. "On Saturday, he was very good again.
"Ashley is a top professional, he is a fighter.
"He has to work hard, to fight hard because the place (in the side) is his place.
"Of course, it is not Azpilicueta's best position, and it is not a position where Ashley can think that he is in trouble now.
"No, he has to just work, fight and the position is there waiting for him, no problem."
news_articleMon, 11 Nov 2013 08:36:17 +000082862 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAzpilicueta warns more to come from ChelseaCesar Azpilicueta has warned Chelseas rivals that there is more to come from Jose Mourinhos in-form side.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/azpilicueta-more-come-chelsea
The London club travel to Newcastle this weekend in fine fettle, having won their last six games in all competitions.
Chelsea are second in the Premier League table, on course to progress from their UEFA Champions League group and in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
And Spanish full-back Azpilicueta believes Mourinho's charges can go from strength to strength under the former Real Madrid boss.
"This league is really competitive and every game is difficult." he told the club's official website.
"We just have to keep working and improving in every game. We are growing up as a team and that is the most important thing."
Azpilicueta scored his first goal for the club in Tuesday night's 2-0 win at London rivals Arsenal in the League Cup.
The Spaniard was making only his third start of the season against Arsene Wenger's side, but the 24-year-old is confident he will play a big part in Chelsea's battle for honours.
He added: "Last season as well I didn't start it playing, but after that I played practically every game.
"This year there is another manager, and at the moment he plays with Branislav (Ivanovic). But I'm training very well and I feel confident with him.
"The season is long and the most important thing is to keep working.
"We have a really good squad, every player can play and give 100 per cent, and we need to keep fighting for titles because we want to arrive at the end of the season with options to win every trophy."
news_articleThu, 31 Oct 2013 10:31:04 +000079148 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho may be without Spanish trio for openerJose Mourinho may start Chelsea's Premier League season without the Spanish trio of Fernando Torres, Cesar Azpilicueta and Juan Mata.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-may-be-without-spanish-trio-opener
Torres, Azpilicueta and Mata look set to be back in London 24 hours before the team's first fixture against Hull City on August 18 should they take part in Spain's friendly with Ecuador.
Despite television coverage allowing Chelsea an extra day to prepare for the Hull game compared to some of the club's Premier League rivals, Mourinho has hinted that the players are unlikely to feature against Steve Bruce's men.
"My line-up will depend a lot on which players go away with their national teams two days before the opening of the Premier League," he said.
"If one has to go to Ecuador and comes back and arrives in London on Saturday without having slept after a 15-hour flight, coming in to train on Saturday morning, I don't think he is going to play on Sunday."
Mourinho, though, will be buoyed by the depth of his squad, which contains plenty of talented youngsters keen to impress.
One such player is 20-year-old defender Tomas Kalas, who joined from Sigma Olomouc in 2010, but has spent the last two years on loan at Vitesse Arnhem.
"It was the first day of training when Mr Mourinho came to me and asked me if I would accept the challenge to be a first-team player and give it everything and, of course, I accepted," he said.
"I hope I am ready but now I have to prove myself."
Chelsea are currently away on a tour of Asia and having won their first two fixtures, they will now face Indonesia All-Stars in Jakarta on Thursday, before flying to America for the next leg of their pre-season preparations.
news_articleTue, 23 Jul 2013 09:03:27 +0000167 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com